Pressed cosmetic powder cake devices and methods

ABSTRACT

A cosmetic product including a pressed cosmetic powder cake is provided. The pressed cosmetic powder cake includes depression formed therein for receiving a liquid to facilitate use of the cosmetic product. The pan defines a recess therein for holding the powder cake. The cosmetic case includes a base portion for receiving the pan and a lid that may be coupled to one another by a hinge.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/049,782, filed Oct. 9, 2013, and U.S. Designapplication No. 29/468,950 filed Oct. 4, 2013. The disclosure of each ofthe aforementioned patent applications is incorporated by reference inits entirety for any purpose whatsoever.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Disclosed Embodiments

The disclosed embodiments relate to cosmetic products, including pressedcosmetic powder cakes and corresponding containers and embodiments of acosmetic case in which the corresponding container is inserted into.

2. Background of the Disclosure

A variety of cosmetic products including pressed powder cakes and thelike are known in the art. The present disclosure provides devices andmethods that advance over the current state of the art.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS

In general, in a first aspect, the disclosure features a cosmeticproduct, including a pressed cosmetic powder cake. The pressed cosmeticpowder cake has a depression formed into the cake, such as proximate thecenter of an upper surface of the cake for receiving a predeterminedamount of a liquid. The product further includes a pressed powder cakepan. The pan includes a recess to receive the powder cake. The productalso includes a cosmetic case that includes a lower body portion or baseand an upper body portion or lid that can be coupled at a hinge, ifdesired. The lower body portion or base defines an interior cavitytherein to receive the powder cake pan.

If desired, the lower body portion or base of the container can beconfigured with a receiving groove formed integrally in the innercircumference of the lower body portion or base. The upper body portionor lid can be configured with an inner surface for receiving a mirror.If desired, the upper body portion or lid can be configured with anoutwardly protruding sealing member formed integrally on the outercircumference of the upper body portion or lid. The receiving groove canbe configured to receive the outwardly protruding sealing member of theupper body portion or lid allowing for the cosmetic container to be in aclosed position.

Pressed powder products, such as face powder, eye shadow, blushes or thelike have effectively replaced conventional loose powder products.Pressed powder products are produced by compressing loose powder into ametal pan using direct pressure. To make the water and powder mixingtask easier for the user when using a brush or sponger application, inone aspect, the disclosure provides a pressed powder cake that is formedwith a depression in the pressed powder cake 10 receive a liquid orother material containing liquid (e.g., gel), preferably water. Suchdepressions can be made with a die of a press, preferably the same pressthat is used to make the powder cake such that the powder cake anddepression are formed during a single operation. The press thus forms a“well” or reservoir in the main body of the pressed powder cake wherewater droplets can be deposited. The well can be provided with concavewalls, as desired, that act to confine the water droplet(s) being placedin the well and prevent the water from rolling off of the pressed powdercake, thereby facilitating use. This is of particular utility when thepressed powder cake is formed from hydrophobic material, which iscommon. The well can be provided in a variety of shapes and sizes, wherethe measured diameters, areas, widths or lengths of the depression is apercentage of the overall diameters, areas, widths or lengths of the topsurface of the pressed powder cake. For example, round shapeddepressions can be configured with a diameter from about 5 percent toabout 95 percent of the overall diameter of a round pressed powder cake,in any desired increment of one percent, such as six, seven, eightpercent, and so on. The well can have a geometric center in a horizontalplane that coincides with a center of the pressed powder cake in thehorizontal plane. In other embodiments, the well can have a geometriccenter in a horizontal plane that does not coincide with a geometriccenter of the pressed powder cake in the horizontal plane. In someembodiments, multiple wells can be formed into a pressed powder cakethat can be symmetrically distributed with respect to a geometric centerof the pressed powder cake. For example, the wells can be distributed ina pattern matching the shape of the powder cake about a geometric centerof the powder cake. Thus, for example, a circular or oval powder cakecan have a plurality of wells distributed in a circular or oval pathabout a geometric center of the surface of the pressed powder cake.Similarly, square or rectangular pressed powder cakes can similarly beprovided with a plurality of wells of any desired shaped so distributedabout the geometric center of the top surface of the pressed powdercake. The wells can be any desired suitable size.

Similarly, square shaped depressions can be configured with a width orlength ratio that is about five to about ninety five percent of theoverall width or length of the square pan in increments of about onepercent, and rectangular shaped depressions can be configured with awidth or length ratio that is about five to about ninety five percent ofthe overall width or length of the rectangular pan in increments ofabout one percent.

Pressed cosmetic powders are typically a mix of various free flowingsmall particle size solids which in combination with liquids are blendedand compressed into a compact form. Typical pressed powder formulationsinclude the following functional materials, such as fillers (e.g., talc,mica, and sericite), compression aids (e.g., zinc, magnesium andstearate), texture enhancers that may include ceramic materials ortribological particles (e.g., lauroyl lysine, boron nitride, PTFE),colorants (e.g., iron oxides, titanium dioxide, ultramarines, chromiumoxides), organic lakes, liquid binders (e.g., oils, esters, silicones)and preservatives (e.g., parabens, sodium benzoate).

The shape of the powder materials varies, and may be platelets tospherical with an average length or diameter anywhere from 0.1-2 microns(e.g., talc & silica) to greater than 150 microns (pearls & glitters).Typical eyeshadow formula compositions can include:

% w/w Fillers 30.0-80.0  Compression Aid 2.0-5.0  Texture Enhancers3.0-30.0 Colorants 2.0-25.0 Pearlescents 0.0-50.0 Binders 3.0-10.0Preservatives 0.5-1.0  Additional Ingredients qs

The pressed cosmetic powder cake mix is typically compressed into ametal pan, such a tin or aluminum pans, using hydraulic presses withsteel “punches” or dies. The pressures necessary are formula dependentand typically vary from about 5 bars to 110 bars (in suitableincrements, such as of about one bar) with dwell times from about 1second to about 4 seconds. The powder cake may be compressed once ortwice, as desired. The established pressure parameters are selected toensure the integrity and performance of the final product. The height ofthe powder case in the pan varies from about 2 mm to about 12 mm,preferably from about 2 mm to about 6 mm.

The pressed cosmetic powder cake is specially designed such that thedepression or well formed into the powder cake acts as a reservoir tocontain liquid or liquid-like material (e.g., gel). The liquid in thedepression is mixed with the powder cake with a manual applicator toallow an individual to easily apply a wet mixed powder onto their skin.The depression is preferably formed in such a way that it not onlyprovides a unique aesthetic design, but also serves as an artistic toolto which droplets of water are added to the powder to be used not onlyas a dry powder but in wet form as well.

It is to be understood that the foregoing general description and thefollowing detailed description are exemplary and are intended to providefurther explanation of the disclosed embodiments. The accompanyingdrawings, which are incorporated in and constitute part of thisspecification, are included to illustrate and provide a furtherunderstanding of the disclosed methods and systems. Together with thedescription, the drawings serve to explain principles of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary pressed cosmetic powdercake, powder cake pan and cosmetic case in a round shape.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective side view thereof.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective side view, rotated 180 degrees thereof.

FIG. 4 is a front perspective side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1showing the pan receiving the pressed cosmetic powder cake and pan.

FIG. 5 a front perspective side view of the embodiment of FIG. 4,rotated 180 degrees.

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the fully assembled cosmetic product ofFIG. 1 with a liquid applicator.

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 8 in aclosed position.

FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 8 in aclosed position.

FIG. 11 is a front perspective side view of the embodiment of FIG. 8.

FIG. 12 is a front perspective side view of the embodiment of FIG. 8,rotated 180 degrees.

FIG. 13 is a top perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 8.

FIG. 14 is a bottom perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 8.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 8, showing thepressed cosmetic powder cake with a depression formed into the cake inthe shape of a heart.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 8, showing thepressed cosmetic powder cake with a depression in the shape of a star.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the fully inserted cosmetic product ofFIG. 8, showing the pressed cosmetic powder cake with a depression inthe shape of a square.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the fully inserted cosmetic product ofFIG. 8, showing the pressed cosmetic powder cake with a depression inthe shape of a rectangle.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the fully assembled cosmetic product ofFIG. 8, showing the pressed cosmetic powder cake with a depression inthe shape of a triangle.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the pressed cosmetic powder cake, panand cosmetic case in a square shape.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the fully assembled cosmetic product ofFIG. 20.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the pressed cosmetic powder cake, panand cosmetic case in a rectangle shape.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the fully assembled cosmetic product ofFIG. 22.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings in detail wherein like numerals indicatelike elements throughout the several views, FIG. 1 illustrates anexemplary cosmetic product provided in accordance with the disclosure.As illustrated, the cosmetic product includes a pressed cosmetic powdercake 10. The pressed cosmetic powder cake 10 defines therein adepression or well 12 in the center of the cake 10 for receiving aliquid. In FIG. 1, the depression 12 is in the shape of a circle. Thecosmetic product includes a pan 30. The pan 30 defines therein a recess32 to receive the powder cake 10. The cosmetic product also includes acosmetic case 20. The case includes a lower body portion or base 24 andan upper body portion or lid 60 coupled at a hinge 22, although it willbe appreciated that embodiments can be provided with a separable lid andbase. The hinge 22 allows the cosmetic case 20 to open and close. Thelower body portion or base 24 is configured with an interior cavity 40that receives the pan 30, which may be held in place, for example, byadhesive or a magnet, if the pan is made from steel. As illustrated, thelower body portion or base 24 is configured with a receiving groove 50which is formed integrally in the inner circumference of the lower bodyportion or base 24. The upper body portion or lid 60 is configured withan inner side 62 for receiving a mirror. As illustrated, the upper bodyportion or lid is configured with an outwardly protruding sealing member64 formed integrally on the outer circumference of the upper bodyportion or lid. The receiving groove 50, as illustrated, is configuredto receive the outwardly protruding sealing member 64 allowing for thecosmetic case 20 be in a closed position.

The cosmetic case 20 may be made from a variety of materials, includingplastic or metal, for example. The inner side 62 of the upper bodyportion or lid 60 may contain a mirror that is convex, concave orplanar, as desired. In another embodiment, the inner side 62 of theupper body portion or lid 6 o may also receive a powder puff. In anotherembodiment, the interior or exterior of the cosmetic case may receive anapplicator, brush or a mixing tool. In another embodiment, the cosmeticcase 20 may be made with an alternative structure for securing the upperbody portion or lid 60 to the lower body portion or base 24 such as aclasp, magnet or other fastening means.

FIG. 2 shows a front perspective side view of the cosmetic productcomponents. FIG. 3 shows a front perspective side view, rotated 180degrees where the back side of the cosmetic products components areshown. FIG. 4 shows a front perspective side view of the cosmetic case20 receiving the pressed cosmetic powder cake 10 and pan 30. Similarly,FIG. 5 shows a front perspective side view of the cosmetic case 20receiving the pressed cosmetic powder cake 10 and pan 30, rotated 180degrees. FIG. 6 shows a top perspective view of the cosmetic case 20receiving the pressed cosmetic powder cake 10 and pan 30. Similarly,FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view of the cosmetic case 20 receivingthe pressed cosmetic powder cake 10 and pan 30.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the fully assembled cosmetic product 70in a round shape. FIG. 8. also shows an applicator or pipette 72containing a liquid, preferably water. The applicator 72 drops a liquiddroplet 74 into the depression 12 of the pressed cosmetic powder cake10. A brush or a mixing tool 76 can then be used to combine the liquiddroplet 74 with the pressed cosmetic powder cake 10. The mixture canthen be applied by the user. FIG. 9 shows a front perspective view ofthe fully inserted cosmetic product 70 in a closed position. FIG. 10shows the bottom perspective view of the fully inserted cosmetic product70 in a closed position.

FIG. 11 is a front perspective side view of the fully inserted cosmeticproduct 70 in an open position. Similarly, FIG. 12 is a frontperspective side view of the fully inserted cosmetic product, rotated180 degrees. In addition, FIG. 13 presents a top perspective view of thefully inserted cosmetic product 70 and FIG. 14 presents a bottomperspective view of the fully inserted cosmetic product 70.

The pressed cosmetic powder cake 10 may contain depressions of a varietyof shapes and sizes. FIG. 15 shows a pressed cosmetic powder cake 10having a depression in the shape of a heart 80. FIG. 16 shows a pressedcosmetic powder cake to having a depression in the shape of a star 90.FIG. 17 shows a pressed cosmetic powder cake 10 having a depression inthe shape of a square 100. FIG. 18 shows a pressed cosmetic powder cake10 having a depression in the shape of a rectangle 110. FIG. 19 shows apressed cosmetic powder cake 10 having a depression in the shape of atriangle 120. The depression in the powder cake is preferably made priorto packaging during the manufacturing stage. The formation of thedepression in the upper face of the powder cake is preferably automatedand allows for a variety of shapes and sizes to be designed that are notshown, including, but not limited to, diamonds, alphabetical initials,numbers and objects such as animals or other natural forms, such asseashells, waterfalls, trees, and the like.

The depth of the well or depression in the various embodiments describedherein is preferably deep enough to prevent a water or other liquid orgel from rolling off of the hydrophobic surface of the powder cake. Forexample, the depth of the well or depression can be from about 0.5 mm toabout 10 mm depending on the thickness or depth of the pressed powdercake, such as from about to mm to about 5.0 mm, about 2.0 mm to 3.0 mm,about 1 mm, about 1.5 mm, about 2 mm, about 2.5 mm, about 3 mm, about3.5 mm, about 4 mm, about 4.5 mm, about 5 mm, about 5.5 mm, about 6 mm,about 6.5 mm, about 7 mm, about 7.5 mm, about 8 mm, about 8.5 mm, about9 mm, about 9.5 mm, and about 10 mm.

By way of further example, the depth of the well or depression can befrom about 10% to about 90% of the depth (height) of the pressed powdercake, such as from about 20% to about 70%, about 30% to about 60%, about10%, about 15%, about 20%, about 25%, about 30%, about 35%, about 40%,about 45%, about 50%, about 55%, about 60%, about 65%, about 70%, about75%, about 80%, about 85% and about 90% of the depth (height) of thepressed powder cake.

The components of the cosmetic product may be made in a variety ofshapes and sizes. In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 20, thecomponents of the cosmetic product are all square shaped. FIG. 20 showsa pressed cosmetic powder cake 2010. The pressed cosmetic powder cake 10contains a depression 2012 in the center of the cake 2010 for receivinga liquid. The depression in FIG. 20 is round but as described above, thedepressions can also be made in a variety of sizes and shapes whilestill allowing for the components of the cosmetic product to be insquare shaped, such as those illustrated in U.S. Design application No.29/468,950 filed Oct. 4, 2013.

FIG. 20 also shows the a square shaped pan 2030. The pan 2030 defines arecess 2032 therein to receive the powder cake 2010. FIG. 20 alsoillustrates the cosmetic case 2020. The case includes a lower bodyportion or base 2024 and an upper body portion or lid 2060 coupled at ahinge (not shown). The lower body portion or base 2024 is definestherein an interior cavity 2040 that receives the pan 2030. The lowerbody portion or base 2024 is configured with a receiving groove 2050which is formed integrally in the inner circumference of the lower bodyportion or base 2024. The upper body portion or lid 2060 is configuredwith an inner side 2062 for receiving a mirror. The upper body portionor lid is configured with an outwardly protruding sealing member 2064formed integrally on the outer circumference of the upper body portionor lid. The receiving groove 2050 is configured to receive the outwardlyprotruding sealing member 2064 allowing for the cosmetic case 2020 be ina closed position. FIG. 21 shows the square shaped cosmetic productcomponents fully inserted.

In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 22, the components of thecosmetic product are all in a rectangular shape. FIG. 22 shows a pressedcosmetic powder cake 2210. The pressed cosmetic powder cake 2210 definesa depression or well 2212 in the center of the cake 2210 for receiving aliquid (or gel). The depression in FIG. 22 is round but as describedabove, the depressions can also be made in a variety of sizes and shapeswhile still allowing for the components of the cosmetic product to be inrectangular shape. FIG. 22 also shows the a square shaped pan 2230. Thepan 2230 contains a recess 2232 to receive the powder cake 2210. FIG. 22also shows the cosmetic case 2220. The case includes a lower bodyportion or base 2224 and an upper body portion or lid 2260 coupled at ahinge (not shown). The lower body portion or base 2224 is configuredwith an interior cavity 2240 that receives the pan 2230. The lower bodyportion or base 2224 is configured with a receiving groove 2250 which isformed integrally in the inner circumference of the lower body portionor base 2224. The upper body portion or lid 2260 is configured with aninner side 2262 for receiving a mirror. The upper body portion or lid isconfigured with an outwardly protruding sealing member 2264 formedintegrally on the outer circumference of the upper body portion or lid.The receiving groove 2250 is configured to receive the outwardlyprotruding sealing member 2264 allowing for the cosmetic case 2220 be ina closed position. FIG. 23 shows the rectangular shaped cosmetic productcomponents fully inserted.

The present disclosure discloses improved methods for using a cosmeticproduct. The method of using the cosmetic product of the presentdisclosure, includes using an applicator to drop a liquid or gel, asdesired into a depression or well pre-formed into a pressed cosmeticpowder cake; mixing the liquid with the content of the pressed cosmeticpowder cake with a mixing tool, and applying the mixed wet cosmeticproduct on a user's skin. The mixing tool can be the applicator orpipette used to drop liquid into the depression, a cotton swab, or othersuitable applicator.

All statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments ofthe disclosure, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended toencompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof.Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include bothcurrently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in thefuture, i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function,regardless of structure.

In the disclosure hereof any element expressed as a means for performinga specified function is intended to encompass any way of performing thatfunction. Applicants thus regard any means which can provide thosefunctionalities as equivalent to those shown herein. It is intended thatthe present disclosure include modifications and variations that arewithin the scope of the subject disclosure and equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cosmetic product, including: a pressed cosmeticpowder cake composed of hydrophobic material being defined in part by agenerally planar upper surface, the generally planar upper surfacehaving a width that is substantially greater than the depth of thepressed powder cake; the generally planar upper surface of the pressedcosmetic powder cake defining a well therein for receiving a liquid orgel, the well being configured to retain the liquid or gel to preventthe liquid or gel from rolling off the pressed powder cake; a pandefining a recess therein for receiving the pressed cosmetic powdercake; and a cosmetic case; the cosmetic case including a base portionand a lid that can be coupled to the base portion, wherein the baseportion defines an interior cavity for receiving the pan and pressedcosmetic powder cake.
 2. The cosmetic product of claim 1, wherein thedepth of the well defined in the pressed powder cake is between about10% to about 90% of the depth of the pressed powder cake.
 3. Thecosmetic product of claim 1, wherein the depth of the well defined inthe pressed powder cake is between about 20% to about 70% of the depthof the pressed powder cake.
 4. The cosmetic product of claim 1, whereinthe width of the well defined in the pressed powder cake is betweenabout 5% to about 95% of the width of the pressed powder cake.
 5. Thecosmetic product of claim 1, wherein lid includes an inner side forreceiving a mirror.
 6. The cosmetic product of claim 1, wherein thepressed cosmetic powder cake, the well, the pan, and the cosmetic caseare round.
 7. The cosmetic product of claim 1, wherein the pressedcosmetic powder cake, the well, the pan, and the cosmetic case aresquare.
 8. The cosmetic product of claim 1, wherein the pressed cosmeticpowder cake, the well, the pan, and the cosmetic case are rectangular.9. The cosmetic product of claim 1, wherein the base portion and lid areconnected by a hinge.